Prize-winning Longford breed secures top prices at Tullamore Aubrac sale

A renowned Co Longford breeder was among the prize-winning vendors at the Irish Aubrac Cattle Society’s pre-selected show and sale at Tullamore Mart, Co Offaly, on Saturday, October 26th, 2024.

Michael Hanlon presented four handpicked lots from his prize-winning Ashbrook herd for sale.

His first lot of the day, catalogued as number 6, Ashbrook Turner, took the second place in his class for pedigree bulls, in a hotly contested pre-sale show judged by Seamus Nagle, a renowned farmer from Co Clare.

Born in March 2023, a son of Dauphin, and a home-bred Bayon 2 daughter, he secured €4,500.

READ NEXT: Gardaí on hunt for brazen criminals behind daring Longford farm raid

Lot 12, Ashbrook Roma, was his next lot into the ring and she found a new owner at €3,000.

The April 2021-born Ashbrook Oscar daughter, out of a home-bred Bayon 2 dam, sold in-calf to Heritier, and is due to calve down in mid-November.

Her stable mate, lot 15, the March 2022-born Ashbrook Sweet, a Dauphin daughter, out of a Dolby-sired home-bred dam, due in early April 2025 to the AI Aubrac bull, Johnstown Prince, made €2,800.

At the same price tag, was lot 18, Savannah, another Dauphin daughter, born in April 2022 and out of a home-bred Capitain daughter. She is due to calve down in late March 2025 to the aforementioned AI sire, Johnstown Prince.

READ NEXT: Longford set for first affordable housing scheme as Council gets approval for 93 unit turn key development

Record returns
At Saturday’s sale, two bulls sold for €5,000, while the highest-priced maiden heifer fetched €4,100, the top-priced in-calf heifer sold for €4,000, and the top-priced weanling heifer changed hands for €1,750.

Compared to 2023 returns, the average for bulls was up a notable €840/head, while the average weanling heifer price rose by €485/head, and maiden heifers levelled at €220/hd, more, on average.

Out of the 43 pre-selected lots presented for sale by thirteen herds, just one animal returned unsold.

Speaking following the sale, James Donnellan, chairperson of the Irish Aubrac Cattle Society, stated they "had an excellent sale, with record prices for bulls, and an almost 100% clearance" overall.

"There was great demand from a range of buyers," he said. “There were some lovely Aubracs on display, and thanks to everybody who supported the sale. The best of luck to all who purchased."

Herd history
The Hanlon’s herd was established in 2005 with the import of two elite females from France and the purchase of a number of elite females at sales in Ireland.

A breeding programme was then set up using 100% AI from the top genetics in France, utilising Dolby, Capitain, Roussel, Heritier and Dauphin.

A strict culling policy and only retaining the very top females over the years has resulted in exceptional quality bulls that have been sold in nearly every county north and south of the border, with a number of repeat customers.

The quality of calves and ease of calving are where the bulls are most appreciated.

Most bulls are sold directly on the farm, whilst a number of bulls have been sold at the premier sales to display the top end of breeding to the public.

When the top AI bulls are mated with the herd’s top females, the results are outstanding.
About the breed

The Aubrac breed is a suckler cow breed originating from the mountainous areas of Southern France, where conditions are harsh.

Originally used for milk and draft, it has retained milking ability and placid temperament, adding to its natural beefing ability, hardiness, and low production costs, making it a complete suckler cow.

As a suckler cow, the Aubrac offers the advantages of a pedigree animal (generations of selection, consistency of production, and higher sale value of progeny)

Find more information on www.aubrac.ie